Multi-purpose flat panel display cover

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a multi-purpose flat panel display cover. One embodiment of the present invention may include a cover for a flat panel display, the cover comprising a shield portion configured to protect a flat panel display screen, and a handle portion coupled to the shield portion, wherein the cover is configured to hingedly couple with the flat panel display and rotate into a display support configuration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Phase 371 Application of PCT ApplicationNo. PCT/US06/43788, filed Nov. 8, 2006, entitled “MULTI-PURPOSE FLATPANEL DISPLAY COVER”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to multi-purpose flat paneldisplay accessories.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects ofart, which may be related to various aspects of the present inventionthat are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed tobe helpful in providing the reader with background information tofacilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the presentinvention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statementsare to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

It is not uncommon for modern displays (e.g., televisions and monitors)to be transported for use in various different environments. Forexample, a flat panel display that is typically utilized in an enclosedenvironment (e.g., a home or office) may be transported for use in anoutdoor environment (e.g., a camp site or tailgate party). Further,modern displays with their small size and portability even facilitatetheir use during travel (e.g., in automobiles or on planes). However,while these modern displays are portable, they are often very delicateand can easily be damaged during such transportation. Accordingly, it isdesirable to avoid downtime and costly repairs to such displays byproviding a system that protects them from minor impacts, dust, spills,and other contaminants during transportation. It is also desirable toprovide further protection by facilitating secure handling of thedisplays during transportation. Further, it is desirable to facilitatesetting up the displays in stabilized viewing positions once adestination for use is reached.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Certain aspects commensurate in scope with the disclosed embodiments areset forth below. It should be understood that these aspects arepresented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of certainforms the invention might take and that these aspects are not intendedto limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, the invention may encompassa variety of aspects that may not be set forth below.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a multi-purposeflat panel display cover. One embodiment of the present invention mayinclude a cover for a flat panel display, the cover comprising a shieldportion configured to protect a flat panel display screen, and a handleportion coupled to the shield portion, wherein the cover is configuredto hingedly couple with the flat panel display and rotate into a displaysupport configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the invention may become apparent upon reading thefollowing detailed description and upon reference to the drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-purpose flat panel displaysystem in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of four orientations of the display systemas it transitions from a closed position to a viewing position inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another multi-purpose flat panel displaysystem in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another multi-purpose flat panel displaysystem in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the multi-purpose flat panel displaysystem of FIG. 4 arranged in a viewing orientation in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed below. In an effort to provide a concise description of theseembodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are describedin the specification. It should be appreciated that in the developmentof any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or designproject, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made toachieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance withsystem-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from oneimplementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that sucha development effort might be complex and time consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, andmanufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-purpose flat panel displaysystem in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. The display system is generally designated by referencenumeral 100. The display system 100 includes a display 102 and a cover104. The display 102 may be an LCD, a plasma display, a DLP display, orthe like. The cover 104 includes a handle 106, two side components 108,a protective shield 110 disposed between the two side components 108,and connection legs 112 extending from the side components 108.Additionally, the cover includes a first set of lugs 114A configured forinsertion into a first set of detents 116A on the display 102 tofacilitate pivotal coupling of the display 102 with the cover 104.Further, the cover includes a second set of lugs 114B and a second setof detents 116B to facilitate securing the cover 104 over the display104 in a closed position. It should be noted that the cover 104 may becomposed of a number of protective materials. In one embodiment, thecover 104 is at least partially made of a transparent material. Forexample, the shield 110 may be composed of transparent plastic to enableviewing of the display screen 118 while it is encased by the cover 104(e.g., in a closed position).

It should be noted that while the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1includes the display 102 as a component of the system 100, in otherembodiments the cover 104 may be provided separately from the display102. Indeed, the cover 104 may be configured to couple to variousdifferent types of displays to facilitate using the cover 104 forimproved transportation and viewing of displays produced by differentmanufacturers.

In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 1, the display 102 is separatedfrom the cover 104. However, as indicated by arrows 120, the display 102and the cover 104 may be coupled together to form a single functionalunit (i.e., the system 100). Indeed, the cover 104 may be hingedlyfastened (i.e., fastened such that rotation about the fastener isfacilitated) to the display 102 by securing the lugs 114A disposed onlegs 112 of the cover 104 with the detents 116A disposed on the sides ofthe display 102. These detents 116A and lugs 114A are disposed proximatea bottom 122 of the display 102 to facilitate rotation of the cover 104,as illustrated by arrows 124. The legs 112, the detents 116A and/or thelugs 114A may be formed from a flexible material that allows a user totoollessly couple the cover 104 to the display 102 by sliding the lugs114A into the detents 116A. In other embodiments, fasteners (e.g.,screws, a hinge, a swivel or the like) other than the lugs 114A anddetents 116A may be utilized for hingedly coupling the display 102 andthe cover 104. It should be noted that some of these different fastenersmay require the use of tools to couple the display 102 and cover 104together. Indeed, the cover 104 may be hingedly coupled to the display102 in a manner that is essentially permanent. The second set of lugs114B and detents 116B may couple proximate a top portion 126 of thedisplay 102 to secure the cover 104 in a closed position over thedisplay screen 118.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of four orientations of the display system100 as it transitions from a closed position to a viewing position inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Oncethe display 102 and the cover 104 are coupled together, the cover 104may rotate about the display 102, as illustrated by arrows 202.Accordingly, the cover 104 may be positioned about the display 102 intovarious arrangements or orientations with respect to the display 102.Depending on the selected orientation, the cover 104 may protect thedisplay's screen 118, provide support for viewing the display 102,and/or facilitate handling or transportation of the display 102.

Specifically, in FIG. 2, the display system 100 progresses through arange of positions from a closed orientation 204 to a viewingorientation 210. In the process of transitioning from the closedorientation 204 to the viewing orientation 210, or vice versa, thedisplay system 100 passes through a first transitional orientation 212and a second transitional orientation 214. Multiple orientations areshown in FIG. 2 to demonstrate the range of movement of the cover 104with respect to the display 102. The cover 104 acts as a screen cover, ahandle, and/or a stand for the display 102 depending on the orientationin which it is positioned. For example, in the closed orientation 204,the cover 104 protectively shields the screen 118 and properly orientsthe handle 106 to facilitate transportation. In the viewing orientation210, the cover 104 provides a base for the display 102 to facilitatebalancing the display 102 in an upright orientation for viewing.

In the closed position 204, the second set of lugs 114B and detents 116Bmay be utilized to secure an upper portion 216 of the cover 104 to thetop portion 126 of the display 102 and keep the cover 104 in positionover the display screen 118. In other embodiments, different securingmechanisms (e.g., a latch or a snap) may be utilized to keep the cover104 in place over the display 102 and in the closed orientation 204.Such mechanisms may be configured for toolless decoupling such that theupper portion 216 of the cover 104 may be disconnected from the display102 and the cover 104 may be rotated about the first set of lugs 114Aand detents 116A into the viewing orientation 210, as illustrated byarrows 202. Once the display system 100 is in the viewing orientation210, the cover 104 is configured to support the display 102 for viewingby a user.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another multi-purpose flat panel displaysystem in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. The display system illustrated in FIG. 3 is generallydesignated by reference number 300. System 300 includes a two-piececover 302 disposed about a display 304, wherein the two-piece cover 302facilitates protection of both front and back portions of the display304. The two-piece cover 302 includes a back shield 306 and a frontshield 308. The back shield 306 is configured to extend over the rear ofthe display 304 and may rotate into position, as illustrated by arrow310. The back shield 306 may couple to the back of the display 304 withany of various coupling mechanisms. For example, the back shield 306 maysnap fit to the display 304 via a set of snap mechanisms 312. In someembodiments, the back shield 306 may be integral with the display 304.In other embodiments, the back shield 306 may be separate from thedisplay 304 and configured to accommodate displays made by differentmanufacturers. The front shield 308 may rotate about the display 304, asillustrated by arrows 314. When the front shield 308 is arranged in aclosed position (e.g., the front shield 308 is positioned adjacent thefront of the display 304 in a substantially parallel orientation), itmay protect a front screen 316 of the display 304. When the front shield314 is rotated underneath the display 304 into a display supportconfiguration (e.g., in a substantially perpendicular orientation withrespect to the display 304), it may operate as a support for the display304.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another multi-purpose flat panel displaysystem in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. The display system illustrated in FIG. 4 is generallydesignated by reference number 400 and is shown in a closed orientation.System 400 includes a three-piece cover 402 coupled to a display 404. Inthe closed orientation, a bottom portion 406 of the three-piece cover402 is hingedly coupled to a bottom portion 408 of the display 404 and atop portion 410 of the three-piece cover 402 is removably coupled to atop portion 412 of the display 404. The three-piece cover 402 includes acenter piece 414 and two side pieces 416. The center piece 414 maycouple with each of the two side pieces 416 to form a seal in the closedorientation such that the center piece 414 and the two side pieces 416cooperate to provide a protective cover for the display 404.Additionally, the three-piece cover 402 may facilitate secure handlingof the display 404 in the closed position. For example, the center piece414 of the three-piece cover 402 includes a handle 418 disposedproximate the top portion 410 of the three-piece cover 402. In theclosed orientation, the handle 418 is properly arranged such that a usermay grasp the display 404 and carry it to a different location using thehandle 418. During transport of the display 404 in the closedorientation, the three-pieced cover 402 serves to protect the display404 from impacts and contaminants (e.g., dust and liquids).

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the multi-purpose flat panel displaysystem 400 arranged in a display support configuration in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The center piece414 and two side pieces 416 of the three-piece cover 402 may be rotated,as illustrated by arrows 502, to arrange the system 400 in the viewingorientation. In the illustrated embodiment, the two side pieces 416rotate such that the portions that coupled to the top 412 of the display404 are arranged below and slightly behind the display 404. Similarly,the center piece 414 rotates such that the portion that coupled to thetop 412 of the display 404 is arranged below and slightly in front ofthe display 404. Each of the pieces of the three-piece cover 402 may belocked into position in a tripod arrangement to provide support for thedisplay 404. Accordingly, in the viewing orientation, the three-piececover 402 operates as a three-legged base. This may facilitate viewingof the display 404. Other embodiments may include various mechanisms forfolding the cover into a base.

While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However,it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limitedto the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.

1. A cover for a flat panel display, the cover comprising: a shieldportion configured to protect a flat panel display screen; a handleportion coupled to the shield portion, wherein the cover is configuredto hingedly couple with the flat panel display; and two side componentsand a center component configured to rotate into a tripod configurationto support the flat panel display.
 2. The cover of claim 1, comprising aback shield portion configured to protect a rear of the flat paneldisplay.
 3. The cover of claim 1, wherein the two side components andthe center component combine to provide the shield portion.
 4. The coverof claim 1, wherein the handle portion is configured to facilitatetransportation of the flat panel display when the flat panel display andthe cover are arranged in a closed orientation.
 5. The cover of claim 1,wherein the shield portion comprises a clear material.
 6. The cover ofclaim 1, comprising a set of lugs configured to engage a set of detentson the flat panel display to retain the flat panel display and the coverin a closed orientation.
 7. A system, comprising: a display; and a coverhingedly coupled to the display, the cover comprising: a shield portionconfigured to protect a flat panel display screen; a handle coupled tothe shield portion, wherein the cover is configured to rotate about thedisplay into a closed orientation and wherein the cover is configured torotate about the display into a viewing orientation; and two sidecomponents and a center component configured to rotate into a tripodconfiguration to support the display.
 8. The system of claim 7, whereinthe cover comprises a back shield portion configured to protect a rearof the flat panel display.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the shieldportion of the cover comprises the two side components and the centercomponent configured to rotate into the tripod configuration to supportthe display.
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein the handle is configuredto facilitate transportation of the display when the display and thecover are arranged in the closed orientation.
 11. The system of claim 7,wherein the shield portion comprises a clear material.
 12. The system ofclaim 7, comprising a set of snaps disposed on the cover and configuredto engage the display to retain the display and the cover in the closedorientation.
 13. The system of claim 7, comprising a set of lugsdisposed on the cover and configured to engage a set of detents on thedisplay to hingedly couple the cover and the display.
 14. A system,comprising: a display; and a cover configured to rotate about thedisplay into a closed orientation and into a viewing orientation, thecover comprising: a first side cover piece hingedly coupled to thedisplay; a second side cover piece hingedly coupled to the display; anda center cover piece disposed between the first and second side coverpieces and hingedly coupled to the display, wherein the center coverpiece is configured to interlock with the first and second side piecesto protectively cover a display screen in the closed orientation. 15.The system of claim 14, wherein the center piece includes a handleportion configured to facilitate transportation of the display.
 16. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein the handle portion is configured to extendabove a top of the display when the cover is in the closed orientation.17. The system of claim 14, wherein the cover is configured to form atripod in the viewing orientation wherein the first and second sidepieces extend below and behind the display and the center piece extendsbelow and in front of the display.
 18. The system of claim 14, whereinthe cover is configured for toolless attachment and detachment from thedisplay.
 19. The system of claim 14, wherein the cover comprises clearmaterial.